Window Shades

Abstract

The window shade has a shade assembly including a roller connected to the shade structure, the roller having a first end coupled to a first bracket and a second end having a coupler, the roller pivotally connected to the first bracket. The first bracket includes a roller lock movable between a locked position that rotationally locks the roller to prevent rotation of the roller relative to the first bracket and an unlocked position that rotationally unlocks the roller for rotation of the roller relative to the first bracket. The window shade further includes a connector and a second bracket mountable to a support surface of a building, the first bracket and the coupler being connected to the connector and the second bracket, respectively, when the shade assembly is mounted to the support surface of the building.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 456,385, filed March 31, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to window shades. [Background technology]

[0003] Vertically adjustable window shades, such as roller shades and cellular shades, generally have a headrail that can be secured to a support surface of a residence with screws so that the shade panel can be vertically deployed from the headrail to cover the window opening. Conventional window shades are not easily removable, which can complicate repair and / or cleaning operations. Because headrails are conventionally formed as elongated pieces that extend along the full width of the shade panel, the size of the headrail also contributes to adding weight to the window shade. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a window shade that is easy to install, can reduce weight, and can address at least the aforementioned problems.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a window shade includes a shade assembly including a roller and a shade structure connected to each other, the shade assembly having a first end and a second end opposite each other, the first end coupled to a first bracket, the second end having a coupler, and the roller pivotally connected to the first bracket. The first bracket has a roller lock movable between a locked position where the roller lock rotationally locks the roller to prevent rotation of the roller relative to the first bracket and an unlocked position where the roller lock rotationally unlocks the roller for rotation of the roller relative to the first bracket. The window shade further includes a connector and a second bracket mountable to a supporting surface of a building, the first bracket and the coupler being connected to the connector and the second bracket, respectively, when the shade assembly is mounted to the supporting surface of a building. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a window shade.

[0007] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the structural details of the window shade.

[0008] [Diagram 3] 1A-1C are perspective views at different viewing angles showing structural details of a bracket and coupler at one end of a shade assembly of a window shade.

[0009] [Figure 4] 1A-1C are perspective views at different viewing angles showing structural details of a bracket and coupler at one end of a shade assembly of a window shade.

[0010] [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the bracket and coupler shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 connected together.

[0011] [Figure 6] 13 is a perspective view showing details of the structure of the connector and another bracket at the other end of the shade assembly. FIG.

[0012] [Figure 7] FIG.

[0013] [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary operation for attaching a window shade to a supporting surface of a building.

[0014] [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary operation for attaching a window shade to a supporting surface of a building.

[0015] [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary operation for attaching a window shade to a supporting surface of a building.

[0016] [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary operation for attaching a window shade to a supporting surface of a building.

[0017] [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary operation for attaching a window shade to a supporting surface of a building.

[0018] [Figure 13] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary operation for removing a shade assembly of a window shade from a supporting surface of a building.

[0019] [Figure 14] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary operation for removing a shade assembly of a window shade from a supporting surface of a building.

[0020] [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of the window shade.

[0021] [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an exploded view showing a portion of the window shade shown in FIG.

[0022] [Figure 17] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing details of the structure of a roller lock provided on the window shade of FIG. 15.

[0023] [Figure 18] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing details of the structure of a roller lock provided on the window shade of FIG. 15.

[0024] [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a stop mechanism for holding the roller lock in an unlocked position.

[0025] [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an alternative stop mechanism for holding the roller lock in the locked position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a window shade 100, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing the structural details of the window shade 100. With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the window shade 100 can include a shade assembly 102, two brackets 104 and 106, a coupler 108, and a connector 110. The shade assembly 102 can have a width dimension W and two ends 102A and 102B that are opposite each other along the width dimension W. The bracket 104 and the connector 110 can be disposed at the end 102A of the shade assembly 102, and the bracket 106 and the coupler 108 can be disposed at the other end 102B of the shade assembly 102. To reduce the weight of the window shade 100, the illustrated example does not have a head rail or a fixed structure between the two brackets 104 and 106. However, some alternative configurations may optionally provide a cover between the two brackets 104 and 106 for protection and / or aesthetic purposes.

[0027] The shade assembly 102 includes a shade structure 112 and is operable to deploy and retract the shade structure 112. According to an example configuration, the shade assembly 102 can include a roller 114, and the shade structure 112 can be connected to the roller 114. The roller 114 is formed as a tube and has two opposing ends 114A and 114B corresponding to the two ends 102A and 102B of the shade assembly 102, respectively. The roller 114 is pivotally connected to the bracket 104 and is rotatable to wind and unwind the shade structure 112. For example, the shade structure 112 can be wound around the roller 114 for retraction and can be unwound from the roller 114 for deployment.

[0028] 1 and 2, the shade structure 112 may have any suitable configuration. According to one example configuration, the shade structure 112 may include a panel 116 and a bottom rail 118 connected to the panel 116. The panel 116 may include a fabric sheet having a top end secured to a roller 114 and a bottom end secured to the bottom rail 118. According to another example configuration, the panel 116 may have a cellular structure (not shown) formed by a plurality of fabric strips adhered to each other and / or to a support sheet.

[0029] The upper end of the panel 116 may be provided with an anchor strip 120, which can be inserted into a groove 122 provided on the outer surface of the roller 114 to secure the upper end of the panel 116 to the roller 114. Similarly, the lower end of the panel 116 may be provided with an anchor strip 124, which can be inserted into the bottom rail 118. A rod 126 can be attached to the inside of the bottom rail 118 so that a portion of the panel 116 can be sandwiched between the bottom rail 118 and the rod 126. Once the lower end of the panel 116 is attached to the bottom rail 118, both ends of the bottom rail 118 can be closed with two end caps 128. A weight element 130 can be added to the inside of the bottom rail 118 to increase stability, and a handle 132 can be optionally provided on the bottom rail 118 to facilitate manual manipulation by a user.

[0030] 1 and 2, end 114A of roller 114 may be pivotally connected to bracket 104 via coupler 134. For example, coupler 134 may be mounted to bracket 104 for rotation about pivot axis 136 and may at least partially engage end 114A of roller 114 such that roller 114 and coupler 134 can rotate together about pivot axis 136 relative to bracket 104.

[0031] 1 and 2, the shade assembly 102 may further include a torsion spring assembly 138 disposed inside the roller 114. The torsion spring assembly 138 is better shown in FIG. 6. The torsion spring assembly 138 may apply a biasing torque to the roller 114 in a direction to wind the shade structure 112, which may help counteract the downward force applied to the shade structure 112 by the action of gravity. According to one example configuration, the torsion spring assembly 138 may include a shaft 140 and a torsion spring 142 disposed inside the roller 114. The shaft 140 may have an end 140A connected to the bracket 104 so that the shaft 140 may remain fixed during rotation of the roller 114 relative to the bracket 104. The end 140A of the shaft 140 may extend through the coupler 134 for attachment to the bracket 104. Thus, the coupler 134 may rotate with the roller 114 about the shaft 140.

[0032] The torsion spring 142 is disposed around the shaft 140. The torsion spring 142 can have one end 142A configured to remain fixed during rotation of the roller 114 and the other end 142B rotatably coupled to the roller 114. For example, the end 142B of the torsion spring 142 can be connected to a rotating part 144 pivotally connected around the end 140B of the shaft 140 opposite the end 140A of the shaft 140, and the rotating part 144 is fitted to the roller 114 such that the roller 114 and the rotating part 144 are rotatable together relative to the shaft 140 and the bracket 104. When the roller 114 rotates to deploy the shade structure 112, the torsion spring 142 can store elastic energy. When the shade structure 112 is released at a desired position, the elastic energy stored in the torsion spring 142 can help counteract the action of gravity to maintain the shade structure 112 in the desired position.

[0033] 1 and 2, the two brackets 104 and 106, the coupler 108, and the connector 110 can be configured as a mounting system for securing the shade assembly 102 to a supporting surface of a building. The bracket 106 and the connector 110 can be attached to the supporting surface of the building at a distance from the shade assembly 102. More specifically, the bracket 106 and the connector 110 can be attached to the supporting surface of the building at two spaced apart positions corresponding to the width dimension W of the shade assembly 102, respectively. The coupler 108 is coupled to the other end 102B of the shade assembly 102 and is operable to connect to and disconnect from the bracket 106. The bracket 104 is coupled to the end 102A of the shade assembly 102 and is operable to engage and disengage from the connector 110. In this manner, the shade assembly 102 can be mounted to a supporting surface of a building by connecting the coupler 108 to the bracket 106 at an end 102B of the shade assembly 102 and connecting the bracket 104 to the connector 110 at the other end 102A of the shade assembly 102.

[0034] In relation to Figures 1 and 2, Figures 3 and 4 are perspective views showing structural details of the bracket 106 and coupler 108 at the end 102B of the shade assembly 102, and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the bracket 106 and coupler 108 at the end 102B of the shade assembly 102 connected to each other. With reference to Figures 2 and 5, the bracket 106 can have a coupler mount portion 146 and a mounting portion 148 projecting laterally from the coupler mount portion 146. The coupler mount portion 146 and the mounting portion 148 can be fixedly connected to each other to form an L-shaped bracket. According to one example of the configuration, the coupler mount portion 146 and the mounting portion 148 can be integrally formed as one single body. The mounting portion 148 of the bracket 106 can be attached to a supporting surface of a building via one or more fasteners 149, for example via one or more screws. The coupler 108 on the end 102 B of the shade assembly 102 is connectable to a coupler mount portion 146 of the bracket 106 .

[0035] 2-5, the coupler 108 is coupled to an end 114B of the roller 114 opposite the bracket 104. According to one embodiment, the coupler 108 can include an anchor element 108A mountable to the coupler mount portion 146 of the bracket 106 and a rolling element 108B rotatably coupled to the end 114B of the roller 114 and pivotally assembled about the anchor element 108A.

[0036] The anchor element 108A of the coupler 108 is operable to connect and disconnect from the coupler mount portion 146 of the bracket 106. For example, the anchor element 108A of the coupler 108 can include a socket 150, and the coupler mount portion 146 of the bracket 106 can include a shaft portion 152 insertable into the socket 150 to connect the coupler 108 to the bracket 106. To prevent axial displacement of the anchor element 108A of the coupler 108 away from the bracket 106, the shaft portion 152 can have a resilient portion 152A with a hook shape movable to engage an end of the socket 150. When the coupler 108 is to be removed from the bracket 106, the shade assembly 102 can be pulled away from the coupler mount portion 146 of the bracket 106 such that the resilient portion 152A is biased to move away from the end of the socket 150.

[0037] Apart from the above examples, it will be appreciated that other alternative structures for removably connecting the coupler 108 to the bracket 106 are possible. For example, the alternative structures may omit the resilient portion 152A. Also, the locations of the socket 150 and the shaft portion 152 may be interchanged, and the coupler mount portion 146 of the bracket 106 may have a socket similar to the socket 150, and the anchor element 108A of the coupler 108 may include a shaft portion insertable into the socket to connect the coupler 108 to the bracket 106.

[0038] 2 to 5, the rotating element 108B of the coupler 108 may have a portion that fits into the end 114B of the roller 114 so that the rotating element 108B of the coupler 108 and the roller 114 rotate together. To pivotally assemble the rotating element 108B around the anchor element 108A, the rotating element 108B may include an internal cavity 151 adapted to receive the anchor element 108A. The anchor element 108A may further include a resilient portion 153 with a hook shape that is movable to engage the open end 151A of the internal cavity 151 of the rotating element 108B to prevent axial displacement that separates the rotating element 108B from the anchor element 108A. According to one example of configuration, the resilient portion 153 may be formed integrally with the anchor element 108A. When the coupler 108 is connected to the bracket 106, the rotating element 108B is rotatable with the roller 114 relative to the anchor element 108A and the bracket 106. The engagement between the elastic portion 153 and the open end 151A can provide a locking strength greater than that provided by the engagement between the elastic portion A and the socket 150, thereby enabling the anchor element 108A and the rotating element 108B to remain attached to one another when the shade assembly 102 is pulled away from the coupler mount portion 146 of the bracket 106 and removed.

[0039] According to one example of configuration, the coupler 108 may further include a spring 108C (better shown in FIG. 5) disposed around the anchor element 108A. More specifically, the spring 108C may be disposed in an internal cavity 151 of the rotating element 108B in contact with a circumferential surface of the anchor element 108A, and the rotating element 108B may be disposed around the anchor element 108A and the spring 108C. The spring 108C may have one or two ends (not shown) connected to the rotating element 108B. For example, the rotating element 108B may have a slot with two opposing end faces 155A and 155B (better shown in FIG. 4) that may contact the two ends of the spring 108C, respectively. The frictional contact between the anchor element 108A and the spring 108C may provide some resistance to rotation of the rotating element 108B and the roller 114, which may help keep the roller 114 stationary when the shade assembly 102 is not adjusted by the user. While the anchor element 108A of the coupler 108 is connected to the bracket 106 and the bracket 104 remains engaged to the connector 110, the roller 114 and the rotating element 108B of the coupler 108 may rotate together with the anchor element 108A, the brackets 104, 106 and the connector 110 to retract and deploy the shade structure 112, which may bias the spring 108C to release the frictional contact with the anchor element 108A so that the spring 108C may rotate with the roller 114 and the rotating element 108B of the coupler 108.

[0040] 2-5, the bracket 106 and the coupler 108 can be configured to allow movement of the shade assembly 102 to engage or disengage the other bracket 104 at the end 102A of the shade assembly 102 relative to the connector 110 while the bracket 106 and the coupler 108 remain connected to one another. According to one example of the configuration, one of the bracket 106 and the coupler 108 can have a frusto-conical shape positionable to contact the other of the bracket 106 and the coupler 108 to connect the coupler 108 to the bracket 106. For example, the socket 150 can include a cavity having a frusto-conical cross section, and the shaft portion 152 can be inserted into the socket 150 to contact the frusto-conical cross section. The engagement between the resilient portion 152A of the shaft portion 152 and the socket 150 can also be configured to allow movement of the shade assembly 102 to engage or disengage the bracket 104 relative to the connector 110. For example, an end of the socket 150 may have an opening 150A and the resilient portion 152A may extend through the opening 150A and engage an outer edge 150B of the opening 150A. The connection between the bracket 106 and the coupler 108 allows for rotation of the roller 114 about the pivot axis 136 for winding and unwinding the shade structure 112 and may form a fulcrum for movement of the shade assembly 102 to engage or disengage the bracket 104 from the connector 110.

[0041] 1 and 2, Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing structural details of the connector 110 and bracket 104 at the end 102A of the shade assembly 102, and Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing only the connector 110. With reference to Figs. 1, 2, 6 and 7, while the coupler 108 at the end 102B of the shade assembly 102 remains connected to the bracket 106, the bracket 104 and shade assembly 102 may be horizontally movable together to engage or disengage the bracket 104 from the connector 110. The bracket 104 may have a shade retaining portion 154 and a bracket mount portion 156 that projects laterally from the shade retaining portion 154.

[0042] According to one example configuration, the shade holder 154 and the bracket mount 156 can be fixedly connected to one another to form an L-shaped bracket. For example, the shade holder 154 and the bracket mount 156 can be integrally formed as one unitary body. However, it will be understood that the shade holder 154 and the bracket mount 156 can be separate pieces fastened to one another.

[0043] The shade retaining portion 154 of the bracket 104 is coupled to the end 102A of the shade assembly 102, specifically the end 114A of the roller 114 and the end 140A of the shaft 140 of the torsion spring assembly 138. For example, the coupler 134, which is rotatably coupled to the shaft 140 of the torsion spring assembly 138 and the end 114A of the roller 114, may be coupled to a shaft portion (not shown) that is fixedly connected to the shade retaining portion 154 of the bracket 104.

[0044] The bracket mount portion 156 of the bracket 104 is operable to engage and disengage from the connector 110. The bracket mount portion 156 of the bracket 104 can be engaged with the connector 110 such that the bracket 104 is retained on the connector 110 while the connector 110 is attached to a building support surface, or can be disengaged from the connector 110 to remove the bracket 104 from the connector 110. Various structures can be applied to provide a removable connection between the bracket 104 and the connector 110.

[0045] 6 and 7 show one example of a configuration in which the bracket mount portion 156 of the bracket 104 can include a slot 158, and the connector 110 can include an insert 160 that can slide into and out of the slot 158. The insert 160 can slide into the slot 158 ​​to engage the bracket 104 with the connector 110, and can slide out of the slot 158 ​​to disengage the bracket 104 from the connector 110.

[0046] 6 and 7, the slot 158 ​​may be formed on an outer surface of the bracket mount portion 156, may extend along an axis 162, and may have two openings 164 and 166 located at two opposite ends 158A and 158B of the slot 158 ​​along the axis 162, respectively. To connect the bracket 104 to the connector 110, the bracket 104 may be movable relative to the connector 110 along the axis 162 to slide the insert 160 through the opening 164 into the slot 158, and may slide along the axis 162 toward the other end 158B of the slot 158. The bracket mount portion 156 of the bracket 104 may have a stop 168 configured to stop the bracket 104 in a predetermined position relative to the connector 110 when the insert 160 slides toward the end 158B of the slot 158. The stop 168 may be formed by any suitable structure. For example, the stop 168 may be formed by an inner portion of the slot 158 ​​near an opening 166 that extends transversely to the axis 162 of the slot 158. The insert 160 may slide along the slot 158 ​​toward its end 158B until the insert 160 contacts the inner stop 168 of the slot 158, which may stop the bracket 104 relative to the connector 110.

[0047] 6 and 7, the connector 110 can have a base portion 170 adapted to be attached to a building support surface, and the insert 160 can protrude from a side of the base portion 170. The insert 160 and the base portion 170 are fixedly connected to each other. For example, the insert 160 and the base portion 170 can be integrally formed as a single body. According to one example of the configuration, the base portion 170 can be formed as a plate having two opposite surfaces 170A and 170B, and the insert 160 can protrude from the surface 170A of the base portion 170, and the surface 170B of the base portion 170 is adapted to contact the building support surface when the connector 110 is attached to the building support surface.

[0048] The connector 110 may be attached to a building support surface by one or more fasteners 172. For example, the connector 110 may include one or more holes 174 through which the one or more fasteners 172 are engaged to attach the connector 110 to a building support surface. The one or more holes 174 may extend through the base portion 170 between its two opposing surfaces 170A and 170B. In use, the one or more holes 174 may be covered by the bracket mount portion 156 of the bracket 104 when the bracket 104 is engaged with the connector 110 and exposed when the bracket 104 is disengaged from the connector 110.

[0049] 6 and 7, the bracket 104 is movable relative to the connector 110 along an axis 162 to slide the insert 160 into the slot 158, and the slot 158 ​​and the insert 160 may be configured such that engagement of the insert 160 through the slot 158 ​​is adapted to prevent removal of the bracket 104 from the connector 110 along an axis 176 perpendicular to the axis 162 of the slot 158. Various configurations may be suitable to prevent removal of the bracket 104 from the connector 110 along the axis 176 perpendicular to the axis 162. In the illustrated example, the insert 160 may have a tapered shape. The tapered shape of the insert 160 may widen as the tapered shape moves away from the base portion 170. When the insert 160 engages the slot 158, contact between the insert 160 and the opposing sidewall of the slot 158 ​​may prevent movement along the axis 176 that would remove the bracket 104 from the connector 110.

[0050] According to another example, not shown, the connector 110 can have a stepped insert that can similarly contact a corresponding sidewall of a slot in the bracket 104 to prevent removal of the bracket 104 from the connector 110 along the axis 176. In addition to or in lieu of a suitable shape for the insert 160, other embodiments can have one of the bracket 104 and the connector 110 with a lock (not shown) that is movable into engagement with the other of the bracket 104 and the connector 110 to prevent movement along the axis 176 to remove the bracket 104 from the connector 110.

[0051] 6 and 7, a latch 178 may be further provided to prevent movement of the bracket 104 that would cause the insert 160 to slide out of the slot 158. According to one example configuration, the latch 178 may include a resilient portion 180 provided at an end of the insert 160. The latch 178 and the insert 160 may be integrally formed as a single body. For example, the resilient portion 180 may be formed as an extension of the insert 160 having a distal end with a hook 182. The resilient portion 180 may move relative to the insert 160 to cause the hook 182 to engage or disengage from a sidewall 184 of the end 158B of the slot 158.

[0052] The insert 160 and latch 178 can be introduced into the slot 158 ​​at end 158A of the slot 158 ​​and can slide along the slot 158 ​​until the insert 160 contacts the stop 168 and the latch 178 projects outwardly from the opening 166 at the other end 158B of the slot 158. When the latch 178 projects outwardly from the opening 166, the hook 182 of the resilient portion 180 can engage with a side wall 184 at end 158B of the slot 158. The engagement of the latch 178 with the side wall 184 can prevent movement of the bracket 104 along the axis 162 of the slot 158 ​​which would cause the insert 160 to slide outwardly at end 158A of the slot 158.

[0053] It will be appreciated that the latch 178 is not limited to the illustrated example. More generally, a variety of latch configurations are possible and the latch can be coupled to one of the bracket 104 and connector 110 in any suitable location, and the latch is movable to engage the other of the bracket 104 and connector 110 to prevent movement of the bracket 104 that would cause the insert 160 to slide outwardly at the end 158A of the slot 158.

[0054] Furthermore, the detachable connection between bracket 104 and connector 110 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, the location of slot 158 ​​and insert 160 may be swapped to provide a similar detachable connection: slot 158 ​​may be provided in connector 110 and insert 160 may be provided in bracket mount portion 156 of bracket 104, with insert 160 similarly slidable relative to slot 158 ​​to attach and detach bracket 104.

[0055] In conjunction with Figures 1-7, Figures 8-12 are schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary operations for mounting the window shade 100 to a support surface 200 of a building. Referring to Figures 1-8, first, the bracket 106 and the connector 110 are respectively mounted to the support surface 200 at two locations spaced apart from each other along a width axis 202 corresponding to the width dimension W of the shade assembly 102. The bracket 106 and the connector 110 are fixedly mounted to the support surface 200 away from the shade assembly 102. When the bracket 106 and the connector 110 are fixedly mounted to the support surface 200, the coupler mount portion 146 of the bracket 106 can extend vertically and the mounting portion 148 of the bracket 106 can protrude horizontally from the coupler mount portion 146 toward the connector 110.

[0056] 1, 2, 8 and 9, the shade assembly 102 having two opposing ends 102A and 102B with a bracket 104 and a coupler 108, respectively, can then be moved in a direction D1 along the width axis 202 to connect the coupler 108 to the shaft portion 152 of the bracket 106. For example, the shade assembly 102 can be moved in the direction D1 until the resilient portion 152A of the shaft portion 152 engages the socket 150 of the anchor element 108A of the coupler 108.

[0057] 1, 2 and 8-10, while the coupler 108 at the end 102B of the shade assembly 102 remains connected to the shaft portion 152 of the bracket 106, the shade assembly 102 can be moved laterally relative to the width axis 202 in a direction R1 to engage the bracket 104 at the end 102A of the shade assembly 102 with the connector 110. As the shade assembly 102 moves in the direction R1, the insert 160 of the connector 110 is introduced through the opening 164 into the slot 158 ​​of the bracket 104. The insert 160 can then slide along the slot 158 ​​until the insert 160 contacts the stop 168 and the latch 178 extends outwardly from the opening 166 to engage the side wall 184 at the end 158B of the slot 158. This locks the bracket 104 in place relative to the connector 110, thereby completing the installation of the window shade 100. 11 is a perspective view showing the window shade 100 fully installed on the building support surface 200, and FIG. 12 is a close-up view showing the bracket 104 locked to the connector 110. When the window shade 100 is fully installed, the coupler mount portion 146 of the bracket 106 and the shade retaining portion 154 of the bracket 104 can extend vertically parallel to each other, and the mounting portion 148 of the bracket 106 and the bracket mount portion 156 of the bracket 104 can protrude horizontally toward each other from the coupler mount portion 146 and the shade retaining portion 154, respectively. Additionally, the portion of the panel 116 that is wrapped around the roller 114 between the two brackets 104 and 106 can be exposed at the front of the window shade 100 facing the interior.

[0058] 13 and 14, in conjunction with FIGS. 1-7, are schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary operations for removing the shade assembly 102 from the building support surface 200. First, a user can operate the latch 178 to unlock the bracket 104 from the connector 110. For example, a user can apply an upward force F that urges the resilient portion 180 of the latch 178 to move and disengage from the side wall 184 at the end 158B of the slot 158, thereby unlocking the latch 178. While the coupler 108 remains connected to the bracket 106 at the end 102B of the shade assembly 102, the shade assembly 102 and bracket 104 can then move together relative to the bracket 106 and connector 110 in a direction R2 opposite to the direction R1, which causes the insert 160 of the connector 110 to slide outward at the opening 164 and disengage from the slot 158 ​​of the bracket 104. The bracket 104 at end 102A of the shade assembly 102 can thereby be removed from the connector 110 while the bracket 106 and connector 110 remain attached to the building support surface 200, and the coupler 108 at the other end 102B of the shade assembly 102 can then be removed from the bracket 106 in order to remove the shade assembly 102 from the building support surface 200.

[0059] In relation to Figures 1-14, Figures 15 and 16 are perspective and exploded views, respectively, showing a variation of the window shade 100. As previously described, the window shade 100 of Figures 15 and 16 may include a shade assembly 102 consisting of a shade structure 112 and a roller 114 connected to each other, and a torsion spring assembly 138 disposed inside the roller 114. The window shade 100 uses a mounting system including two brackets 104 and 106, a coupler 108, and a connector 110 to secure the shade assembly 102 to a supporting surface of a building. The two brackets 104 and 106, the coupler 108, and the connector 110 shown in Figures 15 and 16 may have the structure and operation as previously described for mounting and dismounting the shade assembly 102 on the supporting surface of a building.

[0060] 15 and 16, the window shade 100 further includes a roller lock 203 provided on the bracket 104. The roller lock 203 is movable between a locked position in which the roller lock 203 locks the roller 114 to rotate and an unlocked position in which the roller lock 203 unlocks the roller 114 to rotate. When the roller lock 203 is in the locked position, the roller 114 is prevented from rotating about the pivot axis 136 relative to the bracket 104, and when the roller lock 203 is in the unlocked position, the roller 114 is allowed to rotate about the pivot axis 136 relative to the bracket 104.

[0061] To lock and unlock the roller 114, the roller lock 203 can be configured to move relative to the bracket 104 to engage or disengage with the roller 114 or a portion rotatably coupled to the roller 114. In conjunction with FIGS. 15 and 16, FIGS. 17 and 18 are perspective views showing structural details of the roller lock 203. Referring to FIGS. 15-18, the roller lock 203 can be slidably connected to the bracket 104 for sliding movement between a locked position and an unlocked position. For example, the shade retaining portion 154 of the bracket 104 can have a guide slot 204, and the roller lock 203 can be positioned to slide along the guide slot 204. A fastener 206 can be engaged with the shade retaining portion 154 of the bracket 104 through an elongated opening 208 of the roller lock 203 to retain the roller lock 203 to the bracket 104.

[0062] In the illustrated example, the roller lock 203 is arranged to slide vertically between a locked position and an unlocked position while the shade assembly 102 is installed on a building support surface. However, the roller lock 203 may be arranged to slide along a different direction. Furthermore, the connection between the bracket 104 and the roller lock 203 is not limited to a sliding connection. Another example may have the roller lock 203 pivotally connected to the bracket 104 such that the roller lock 203 is rotatable between the locked position and the unlocked position. Thus, various suitable configurations may be applied to movably connect the roller lock 203 to the bracket 104.

[0063] 15-18, the roller lock 203 can move towards the roller 114 in a locked position and away from the roller 114 in an unlocked position. For example, the roller lock 203 can engage the coupler 134 at the end 114A of the roller 114 in the locked position and disengage from the coupler 134 in the unlocked position. According to one example configuration, the coupler 134 can have an exposed portion at the end 114A of the roller 114 having an outer periphery with a plurality of lock openings 210 angularly spaced from one another, and the roller lock 203 can engage with any of the lock openings 210 in the locked position.

[0064] In relation to Figures 17 and 18, Figure 19 is a schematic diagram showing a stop mechanism 212 for holding the roller lock 203 in the unlocked position. Referring to Figure 19, the stop mechanism 212 can include at least one detent protrusion 214 fixedly connected to the shade holding portion 154 of the bracket 104 and at least one catch portion 216 coupled to the roller lock 203. The catch portion 216 of the roller lock 203 can engage with the detent protrusion 214 of the bracket 104 to hold the roller lock 203 in the unlocked position. According to an example of configuration, the two detent protrusions 214 can be respectively disposed on two opposite sides of a protruding structure 218 provided on the shade holding portion 154 of the bracket 104, and the roller lock 203 can have two catch portions 216 corresponding to the two detent protrusions 214, respectively. Each of the two catches 216 can illustratively be an elastic portion integrally formed with the roller lock 203 as a single body and can have a hook-shaped end adapted to engage with a corresponding detent protrusion 214. When the roller lock 203 moves to the unlocked position, the catches 216 can resiliently deflect and engage with the respective detent protrusions 214 to hold the roller lock 203 in the unlocked position. A user can bias the roller lock 203 towards the locked position to force the catches 216 to resiliently deflect and disengage from the detent protrusions 214.

[0065] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing a stop mechanism 220 for holding the roller lock 203 in the locked position. Referring to FIG. 20, the stop mechanism 220 can include at least one detent protrusion 222 fixedly connected to the shade retaining portion 154 of the bracket 104 and at least one detent protrusion 224 provided on the roller lock 203. The detent protrusion 224 of the roller lock 203 can be engaged with the detent protrusion 222 of the bracket 104 to hold the roller lock 203 in the locked position. According to an example of configuration, two detent protrusions 222 can be provided on two opposite side edges of the guide slot 204, respectively, and the roller lock 203 can have two detent protrusions 224 protruding from two opposite side edges of the roller lock 203, respectively. When the roller lock 203 moves to the locked position, the detent protrusions 224 can be engaged with the detent protrusions 222, respectively, to hold the roller lock 203 in the locked position. A user can bias the roller lock 203 towards the unlocked position to force the detent protrusion 224 to disengage from the detent protrusion 222 .

[0066] The stop mechanisms 212 and 220 described herein can be applied separately and independently of each other to hold the roller lock 203 in different positions. According to another example, not shown, the stop mechanisms can be configured to interact with each other to hold the roller lock 203 in two different positions: one of the two stop mechanisms can have a spring that biases the roller lock 203 towards one of the two positions, and the other of the two stop mechanisms can include an engagement portion that can hold the roller lock 203 in the other of the two positions against the action of the spring. Various configurations of the stop mechanisms are therefore possible.

[0067] 17-20, the roller lock 203 may have an actuator 226 to facilitate manual operation by a user. The actuator 226 may protrude from a side of the roller lock 203 and be exposed at a front surface of the shade assembly 102. According to one example configuration, the actuator 226 may be integrally formed with the roller lock 203 as a unitary body. The actuator 226 may have any suitable structure that can facilitate manual operation of the roller lock 203 with one finger, which may include, but is not limited to, a knob or any protruding structure provided on a surface of the actuator 226.

[0068] An exemplary operation of the roller lock 203 will now be described with reference to Figures 19 and 20. In Figure 19, the roller lock 203 is shown in an unlocked position. To prevent the roller 114 from rotating, a user can apply force to the actuator 226 to bias the roller lock 203 toward the locked position. As a result, the catch 216 of the roller lock 203 is forced to flex and disengage from the detent protrusion 214 of the bracket 104. When the roller lock 203 moves and reaches the locked position shown in Figure 20, the detent protrusions 224 of the roller lock 203 can engage with the detent protrusions 222 on the bracket 104, respectively, to hold the roller lock 203 in the locked position. While the roller lock 203 is in the locked position, the roller 114 cannot rotate relative to the bracket 104.

[0069] To allow rotation of the roller 114, a user can apply force to the actuator 226 to bias the roller lock 203 toward the unlocked position. As a result, the detent protrusion 224 of the roller lock 203 is forced to disengage from the detent protrusion 222 of the bracket 104. As the roller lock 203 moves to reach the unlocked position shown in FIG. 19, the catch portion 216 of the roller lock 203 resiliently deflects and engages the detent protrusion 214 of the bracket 104 to hold the roller lock 203 in the unlocked position.

[0070] The ability to lock the rollers 114 to rotate can facilitate transportation and installation of the shade assembly 102. For example, the rollers 114 can be locked by the roller lock 203 while a user proceeds to attach the shade assembly 102 to a building support surface. During installation of the shade assembly 102, the locking engagement of the roller lock 203 can prevent undesired rotation of the rollers 114, such as rotation caused by torque applied by the torsion spring assembly 138. Once installation of the shade assembly 102 is complete (as shown in FIG. 11 ), the roller lock 203 can be switched to an unlocked position to release the rollers 114 for rotation.

[0071] It will be understood that the roller lock and its associated elements are not limited to the example window shade structures described herein. For example, the roller lock described herein may be used with a window shade having two brackets at two ends of a roller connected to a head rail, which is attached to a supporting surface of a building via any suitable attachment device that engages the head rail. Thus, it will be understood that the roller lock described herein is generally suitable for use with any window shade having a roller-operated shade structure.

[0072] Advantages of the constructions described herein include the ability to provide a window shade that does not require an elongated head rail, which can reduce the weight of the window shade. Additionally, the window shade can have a mounting system and roller locks that can facilitate easy transportation, installation and removal of the shade assembly.

[0073] Structural implementations have been described only in the context of specific embodiments. These embodiments are illustrative and not limiting. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are possible. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements may fall within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A window shade comprising: a shade assembly including a roller and a shade structure connected to one another, the shade assembly having opposing first and second ends, the first end coupled to a first bracket, the second end having a coupler, and the roller pivotally connected to the first bracket; a roller lock on the first bracket, the roller lock being movable between a locked position in which the roller lock rotationally locks the roller to prevent rotation of the roller relative to the first bracket, and an unlocked position in which the roller lock rotationally unlocks the roller for rotation of the roller relative to the first bracket; and a connector and a second bracket mountable to a support surface of a building, the first bracket and the coupler being connected to the connector and the second bracket, respectively, when the shade assembly is mounted to the support surface of the building; Window shades.

2. the roller lock is slidably connected to the first bracket; 2. The window shade of claim 1.

3. the roller lock is movable relative to the first bracket to engage and disengage the roller or a portion rotatably coupled to the roller.

2. The window shade of claim 1.

4. the roller is pivotally connected to the first bracket via a second coupler at least partially fitted to one end of the roller, the roller lock engaging the second coupler in the locked position and disengaging from the second coupler in the unlocked position.

2. The window shade of claim 1.

5. the second coupler has a periphery with a plurality of locking openings angularly spaced apart from one another, the roller lock engaging one of the locking openings in the locked position; 5. The window shade of claim 4.

6. a first stop mechanism that holds the roller lock in the unlocked position, and a second stop mechanism that holds the roller lock in the locked position.

2. The window shade of claim 1.

7. the first stop mechanism includes at least one detent projection fixedly connected to the first bracket and at least one catch portion coupled to the roller lock, the catch portion engaging the detent projection to retain the roller lock in the unlocked position; 7. The window shade of claim 6.

8. the second stop mechanism includes at least one first detent protrusion fixedly connected to the first bracket and at least one second detent protrusion on the roller lock, the second detent protrusion engaging the first detent protrusion to retain the roller lock in the locked position; 7. The window shade of claim 6.

9. The roller lock has an actuator for facilitating manual operation by a user, the actuator protruding from a side of the roller lock and exposed to the front of the shade assembly.

2. The window shade of claim 1.

10. the connector and the second bracket are mountable to the support surface of the building remote from the shade assembly, the first bracket is operable to engage and disengage with the connector, and the coupler is operable to connect to and disconnect from the second bracket.

2. The window shade of claim 1.

11. the second bracket and the coupler at the second end of the shade assembly are configured to permit movement of the shade assembly to engage and disengage the first bracket relative to the connector while the coupler and the second bracket remain connected to one another.

2. The window shade of claim 1.

12. the first bracket and the shade assembly are horizontally movable together to engage or disengage the first bracket with the connector while the coupler at the second end of the shade assembly remains connected to the second bracket.

12. The window shade of claim 11.

13. The connector and the second bracket are each mountable to a supporting surface of a building at two positions spaced apart from one another along a width axis corresponding to a width dimension of the shade assembly, the shade assembly being movable along the width axis to connect the coupler at the second end of the shade assembly to the second bracket, and the shade assembly being movable laterally relative to the width axis to engage the first bracket at the first end of the shade assembly with the connector while the coupler remains connected to the second bracket.

2. The window shade of claim 1.

14. one of the coupler and the second bracket having a frusto-conical shape positionable into contact with the other of the coupler and the second bracket to connect the coupler to the second bracket.

2. The window shade of claim 1.

15. the second bracket has a coupler mount portion and a mounting portion projecting laterally from the coupler mount portion, the coupler at the second end of the shade assembly is connectable to the coupler mount portion, and the mounting portion is attachable to a supporting surface of a building via one or more fasteners; 2. The window shade of claim 1.

16. one of the coupler and the coupler mount portion includes a socket, and the other of the coupler and the coupler mount portion includes a shaft portion insertable into the socket to connect the coupler to the second bracket.

16. The window shade of claim 15.

17. the shaft portion includes a resilient portion movable to engage and disengage with the socket, and engagement of the resilient portion with the socket allows movement of the shade assembly to engage and disengage the first bracket with respect to the connector.

17. The window shade of claim 16.

18. the first bracket having a shade retaining portion and a bracket mount portion projecting laterally from the shade retaining portion, the shade retaining portion coupled to the first end of the shade assembly, and the bracket mount portion operable to engage and disengage with the connector; 2. The window shade of claim 1.

19. one of the connector and the bracket mount portion includes a slot, and the other of the connector and the bracket mount portion includes an insert slidable into and out of the slot.

20. The window shade of claim 18.

20. the first bracket at the first end of the shade assembly is movable relative to the connector along a first axis to slide the insert into the slot, and engagement of the insert through the slot is configured to prevent removal of the first bracket from the connector along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis; 20. The window shade of claim 19.

21. a latch configured to prevent movement of the first bracket causing the insert to slide out of the slot.

20. The window shade of claim 19.

22. the latch is coupled to one of the first bracket and the connector, the latch being movable into engagement with the other of the first bracket and the connector to prevent movement of the first bracket to slide the insert out of the slot.

22. The window shade of claim 21.

23. the insert is introduced into the slot from a first end thereof and is slidable along the slot until the insert contacts a stop within the slot and the latch projects outwardly at a second end of the slot opposite the first end thereof; 22. The window shade of claim 21.

24. The insert has a tapered shape.

20. The window shade of claim 19.

25. The coupler comprises: an anchor element attachable to the second bracket; A spring disposed about the anchor element; and a rolling element rotatably coupled to the roller and disposed about the anchor element and the spring; 2. The window shade of claim 1.

26. The shade assembly further includes a torsion spring assembly disposed inside the roller, the torsion spring assembly configured to apply a torque tending to rotate the roller to wind up the shade structure.

26. A window shade according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

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